Angela McLean

Summary

Angela McLean (born August 19, 1970)[1][2] is an American politician and educator who served as the 35th Lieutenant Governor of Montana from February 10, 2014, to January 3, 2016.[3] Governor Steve Bullock, a Democrat, selected McLean in 2014 to replace newly appointed U.S. Senator John Walsh after appointing Walsh to the vacancy created by Senator Max Baucus's resignation.

Angela McLean
35th Lieutenant Governor of Montana
In office
February 17, 2014 – January 3, 2016
GovernorSteve Bullock
Preceded byJohn Walsh
Succeeded byMike Cooney
Chair of the Montana Board of Regents of Higher Education
In office
January 19, 2012 – February 17, 2014
GovernorBrian Schweitzer
Steve Bullock
Preceded byClayton Christian
Succeeded byPaul Tuss (Acting)
Personal details
Born (1970-08-19) August 19, 1970 (age 53)
Twin Bridges, Montana, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
SpouseMike McLean
Alma materUniversity of Montana, Western
University of Montana, Missoula

She was sworn in as Montana's new Lieutenant Governor by District Judge Ray Dayton on February 17, 2014.[1] She was the first teacher and the second woman (after Judy Martz) to serve as the state's Lieutenant Governor.[1]

Career edit

McLean was chairwoman of the Montana Board of Regents from January 2012 to February 2014.[1][4][5] She has also served on the Montana Board of Public Education. She taught American history and government at Anaconda High School. She was originally from Twin Bridges, Montana.[6] She also has taught as an adjunct professor at Montana Tech of the University of Montana.[7]

On February 10, 2014, Bullock named Angela McLean to serve as the 31st Lieutenant Governor of Montana. At the time of her appointment, McLean was a teacher at Anaconda High School and the Chairwoman of the Montana Board of Regents. After McLean became Lieutenant Governor, fellow Regent Paul Tuss was named the acting chair.[8]

McLean focused on education, including science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education and Montana's SMART Schools initiative, during her tenure as Lieutenant Governor of Montana.[9]

In November 2015 McLean announced her resignation as Lieutenant Governor of Montana, effective upon the appointment of her successor, in order to accept the position of director of American Indian and minority achievement in the office of the state commissioner of higher education.[10] Emails and correspondence indicate that Bullock and McLean had a fraught relationship during the final months of her tenure and the conditions surrounding McLean's departure may not have been positive.[11][12][13][14] In a statement to Lee Newspapers on December 11, McLean said, "I loved every part of my job as lieutenant governor. I worked hard every day and in every part of the state to advocate for my fellow Montanans and earn the salary they paid me."[13]

Personal life edit

McLean graduated from Twin Bridges High School and became the first person in her family to graduate from college. She earned a bachelor's degree from the University of Montana Western and a master's degree in curriculum and instruction at the University of Montana. She is married to Mike McLean, an attorney. The couple has two children, Colin and Ellen.[2]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d Johnson, Charles S. (2014-02-10). "Bullock names regents chair as new lieutenant governor". Missoulian. Retrieved 2014-02-14.
  2. ^ a b "Anaconda teacher named Lt. Gov". Montana Standard. February 10, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  3. ^ Michels, Holly (December 30, 2015). "Mike Cooney chosen as Montana's next lieutenant governor". Helena Independent Record. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Minutes for the Montana Board of Regents January 19-20, 2012 Meeting at the University of Montana – Helena College of Technology" (PDF). University of Montana System. 2012-01-21. Retrieved 2014-05-25.
  5. ^ "McLean appointment leaves two vacancies on state Board of Regents". Independent Record. February 10, 2014. Retrieved February 11, 2014.
  6. ^ "Who is Angela McLean? Education policy expert, say colleagues". Independent Record. February 10, 2014. Retrieved February 10, 2014.
  7. ^ Standard, MIKE SMITH Montana (10 February 2014). "New Montana lieutenant governor knows education policy, officials say". missoulian.com. Retrieved 25 June 2016.
  8. ^ Associated Press. "McLean new lieutenant gov". Great Falls Tribune. USA Today Network. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  9. ^ Michels, Holly. "Emails detail fraught relationship between Bullock, McLean". Billings Gazette. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  10. ^ Dennison, Mike (November 30, 2015). "Lt. Gov. McLean resigning to take higher-ed job". KRTV-TV. Great Falls, MT. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved December 23, 2015.
  11. ^ Michels, Holly (6 May 2016). "Private emails show McLean believed she was being dumped for 'standing up' for what's right". Montana Standard. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  12. ^ Michels, Holly (6 May 2016). "Emails: Last May, Bullock staffers confirmed to McLean she was on her way out". Independent Record. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  13. ^ a b Lee Montana Newspapers staff (11 December 2015). "Bullock: McLean's frustrations as lieutenant governor 'disruptive'". Missoulian. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
  14. ^ Michels, Holly (14 December 2015). "Emails detail fraught relationship between Bullock, McLean". Billings Gazette. Lee Enterprises. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Montana
2014–2016
Succeeded by